Bicycle Safety and Security

Bicycle Safety

Cycling should be fun, but it should also be safe. By following a few simple safety rules, you can make sure you keep out of trouble on the roads. Cheshire Police encourages cyclists to be legal and safe.

By law you must

Make sure that lights and reflectors work and are kept clean

Have white front and red rear lights lit when you are using your bicycle at night.

What equipment should I have when I go cycling?

Before you go out cycling, it's important that you have the correct equipment. This ensures that you stay safe whilst using the road. Some of the equipment that you require makes it easier for other road users to see you, protecting both them and you.

The equipment you should have:

A cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and fastens securely

Appropriate clothes for cycling. Avoid clothes which may get tangled in the chain or in a wheel, or may obscure your lights

Light-coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps other road users to see you in poor light

Reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) which help other road users to see you in the dark

White front and red rear lights MUST be lit at night. Your bike MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector (and amber pedal reflectors, if manufactured after 1/10/85). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen.

Flashing lights are permitted but it is recommended that cyclists who are riding in areas without street lighting use a steady front lamp.

Where can I cycle?

Do cycle

Don't cycle

Cycle lanes (on the road)

On the pavement – unless signs show that cyclists are allowed to cycle on it.

Cycle tracks and bridleways (found away from the road)

Through red lights

Bus lanes (if there's a sign saying cyclists can use them).

The wrong way down a one-way street (unless signs say that cyclists can do otherwise).

Across a pelican, puffin or zebra crossing – but you can cycle across a toucan crossing when the green light for cyclists show